Struggling Blue Jackets fire head coach Hitchcock

The Blue Jackets have limped to 22-27 this season and are second-last in the NHL's Western Conference.

"This season has been very disappointing for the Blue Jackets organization and our fans and the responsibility for that rests with all of us from management to the coaches and players," Scott Howson, general manager of the Blue Jackets, said on the team's website (http://bluejackets.nhl.com).